There are certain dishes from my childhood that I absolutely love until I stop to think about how they really taste. It can be funny how nostalgically satisfying cherished foods can be even if our tastes have outgrown them.

Hydrangeas are a lot like that for many gardeners who have a sentimental love of them but aren't willing to cede a large area to a floppy, messy-looking favorite. Many have the same love/hate relationship with peonies.

The "Wee White” hydrangea from the Incredibelle Series was bred for such people. It has a sturdy compact frame that reaches just 2' tall and is covered in pure white flowers from summer to fall. The blooms start white and mature to shades of green and pink - and they keep coming, with fresh buds being produced through autumn. Strong stems prevent flopping. Now, everyone has room for this classic native flowering shrub. Neat enough to be planted as an informal hedge.